Sanford's term as governor expires in January of 2011. "People need to take their personal, political considerations off the table and think about what's best for the state," a Bauer spokesman said in a statement yesterday.

It's been a turbulent few months for Sanford, to put it lightly. In June, Sanford vanished without a trace from the public radar; aides assured the press he was only hiking the Appalachian Trail.

After a strained press conference admitting the affairs, Sanford proceeded to dig himself a nice little hole. He repeatedly referred to María Belén Chapur, whom he met in Uruguay years earlier, as a "soul mate." Then he admitted he'd "crossed the lines" with a handful of women since he'd been married. Then he consider resigning. Then he decided against it.

"Immediately after all this unfolded last week I had thought I would resign -- as I believe in the military model of leadership and when trust of any form is broken one lays down the sword," Sanford said at the time. "A long list of close friends have suggested otherwise -- that for God to really work in my life I shouldn't be getting off so lightly."

Regardless of what any higher powers think, Sanford now has Bauer to deal with, along with a cadre of angry South Carolina politicians who just want to get back to work. Maybe it's time for the governor of the Palmetto State to follow fellow disgraced Republican George Allen -- lay low, hang your head, and wait for the right opportunity to dive back into the fray.

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